Virginia Law

A. Application for emergency admission.

1. In the event of a change in circumstances necessitating immediate, short-term care for an individual with an intellectual disability, a parent, guardian, or authorized representative may request emergency admission by contacting the CSB serving the area where the individual or, in the case of a minor, the minor's parent or guardian resides. The CSB shall consult with DBHDS, make a referral to the regional support team (RST), and request an emergency meeting. The CSB shall pursue all recommendations made by the RST. If it is determined that emergency admission is still necessary, the CSB shall consult with the department and request an emergency admission to the training center.

2. The CSB shall make every effort to obtain the information required as described in subdivision 3 of this subsection before the training center assumes responsibility for the care of the individual in need of emergency services.

3. The preadmission screening report requesting emergency admission shall include:

a. An application for services;

b. A medical history indicating the presence of any current medical problems as well as the presence of any known communicable disease. In all cases, the application shall include any currently prescribed medications as well as any known medication allergies;

c. A social history and current housing or living arrangements;

d. A psychological evaluation that reflects the individual's current functioning;

e. A current individualized education plan for school-age individuals, unless the training center director or designee determines that sufficient information as to the individual's abilities and needs is included in other reports received;

f. A vocational assessment for adults, unless the training center director or designee determines that sufficient information as to the individual's abilities and needs is included in other reports received;

g. A statement from the CSB that the appropriate arrangements are being made to discharge the individual to a less restrictive setting within the timeframe required under this chapter; and

h. A statement from the individual, a family member, or authorized representative specifically requesting services in the training center.

4. If the information in subdivision 3 of this subsection is not available, this requirement may be temporarily waived if arrangements have been made for receipt of the required information within 48 hours of the emergency admission.

5. As quickly as possible but no later than 72 hours after receiving a request for emergency admission, the training center director or the director's designee shall inform the CSB whether the individual is eligible for emergency admission and whether the training center is able to provide emergency services.

6. If an emergency admission is appropriate, and the training center is able to provide emergency services, arrangements shall be made to effect the admission as soon as possible.

7. If for any reason a person admitted to a training center for emergency services is not discharged at the agreed upon time, the CSB shall work with the CIM and training center staff to develop a discharge plan as provided in §§ 37.2-505 and 37.2-837 of the Code of Virginia.

8. If an emergency admission is appropriate, and the training center is unable to provide emergency services to an eligible individual, the training center director or the training center director's designee shall provide written notice of this determination to the CSB and may offer, in consultation with department staff, to try to obtain emergency services from another appropriate facility.

B. Application for voluntary admission.

1. Prior to making a request for voluntary admission, the CSB shall consult with DBHDS and make a referral to the RST. The CSB shall pursue all recommendations made by the RST. If it is determined that a voluntary admission is still necessary, the CSB shall consult with the department and request an admission to the training center.

2. If the CSB, after following up on all recommendations made by the RST, determines that the services the individual needs are not available in the community or the individual chooses to obtain services in the state training center, the CSB shall consult with DBHDS and forward an application and a preadmission screening report, pursuant to § 37.2-806 B of the Code of Virginia, to the training center.

3. The preadmission screening report requesting voluntary admission shall include:

a. An application for services;

b. A medical history indicating the presence of any current medical problems as well as the presence of any known communicable disease. In all cases, the application shall include any currently prescribed medications as well as any known medication allergies;

c. A social history and current housing or living arrangements;

d. A psychological evaluation that reflects the individual's current functioning;

e. A current individualized education plan for school-age individuals, unless the training center director or designee determines that sufficient information as to the individual's abilities and needs is included in other reports received;

f. A vocational assessment for adults, unless the training center director or designee determines that sufficient information as to the individual's abilities and needs is included in other reports received;

g. A statement from the CSB that the appropriate arrangements are being made to work with the individual and the family member or authorized representative to continue exploring opportunities to discharge the individual to a less restrictive setting; and

h. A statement from the individual, a family member, or authorized representative specifically requesting services in the training center.

4. Upon the receipt of a completed preadmission screening report, the training center director or the director's designee shall determine eligibility for voluntary admission based upon the admissions criteria.

5. Within 10 business days from the receipt of the completed preadmission screening report, the training center director or designee shall provide to the CSB the written decision on the request for voluntary admission. If the training center director, in consultation with the assistant commissioner responsible for the training center or the assistant commissioner's designee, finds that admission is not appropriate, the training center director shall state the reasons in a written decision and may recommend an alternative location for needed services.